I ran the whole way home. Hoping to leave the memory of what just happened behind.

He was going to take me away. Why? Why me?

What's so special about the lonely orphan girl.

I came home to a note on the table from my brother.

He was on a business trip and wouldn't be back until Thursday. Three days from now.

Just enough time to convince myself that I'm not crazy.

It's only 2 o'clock so Dyl's still in school, I'll call him when school's up.

I run downstairs and make a quick sandwich.

I'm still shaking from the encounter with Ice Boy. That's what I'm going to call him since his eyes and hair are like ice. Hell, he himself is ice freaking cold.

I spend the next hour surfing the internet and watching crappy movies.

My phone vibrates and I pick it up, already knowing it was my best friend. I've calmed down since the forest so I invite him round for moral support.

He says he'll be there in 10.

I go to my bathroom and wash my face, pretending that the cold water is washing away my problems.

The door opens, and I hear Dylan yell

"Guess who's home princess?"

"Up here!" I reply. I hear the familiar sounds of footsteps running up the stairs.

I walk over to my bedroom and see him sitting on the bed.

"What's up princess? Why'd you skip school?"

I told him about the dream, and going to the forest, and seeing Ice Boy again. He's the only one that I've told..

He stood up and I watched his face morph into pure fury. I've never seen him this angry.

"And he tried to take you away? Princess I told you, your parents told you, everyone has told you NEVER TO CROSS THE FUCKING RIVER!"

I shrank back at Dylans outburst. He's never yelled at me before.

I stared at my best friend in disbelief. His normally humorous features had been twisted into rage.

He covered the distance between us quicker than I thought a human could.

"Dylan. Stop. You're scaring me."

"Emba, promise me. Don't go back to the forest."

"You know I can't promise that Dyl, it's the only place I'm truly free."

"YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!" He was visibly shaking with anger. I could tell this was one argument he was not planning on losing.

"I'll be more careful Dylan. Please. Just stop yelling.."

He turned away from me and I could see him taking breaths, trying to calm himself down.

"I'm just trying to keep you safe Princess."

He turned around and looks me in the eyes. I can see the sadness in them. Sadness and worry.

"Promise me. Please...?" I could tell that I was killing him by not agreeing.

"What's gotten into you Dylan. One minute you're joking around, the next you're screaming in my face about a boy in the woods. What the hell is going on?"

I see him contemplating on whether to answer or keep insisting on my safety, he opens his mouth to answer, but pauses and walks past me to the window. I can see something's wrong.

"What is it Dyl?"

"What the fuck is He doing here?" He says to himself.

"Who? Dylan what are you talking about?"

I try getting him to look at me but he shrugs me off easily.

He opens the window, completely ignoring my questions, and starts to climb out.

"Dylan where are you going?"

"Stay here Emba."

"No wait! Dylan What the hell are you doing?"

He ignores my protests and throws himself out of the window. I knew he'd be fine but I still rush to the window and call out to him. He doesn't hear me but I can see him talking to someone.

I go to run outside and see what's happening, but something stops me, I listen for a second and realise that their voices are coming through my open window. I can hear them from my bedroom.

Despite my better judgement and go over to the window. I shouldn't eavesdrop but I was too curious as to what caused Dylan to jump out of my freaking window.

"I thought I told you NOT to visit the princess yet."

"I know, Dylan. But I had to see her."

"You'll see her in 3 days time"

"Not soon enough Dylan."

I recognised the other voice but I couldn't place it.

"Be patient Ash."

Ash. Who is this Ash? Why was my best friend hiding him from me.

"Okay fine. But no later than Friday!"

"Is everything prepared?"

"Of course it is Dyl, when have I ever let you down?"

Dylan grunted in agreement and leaned in to Ash.

They hugged and in that moment. I saw him.

Ice Boy. Ash. Whatever.

My best friend, who just screamed at me for going to meet this guy, is hugging him. I could see the familiarity in the way they were touching.

Dylan knew Ash. And he hid it from me.

Dylan would normally never keep something from me. Would he?

Is Dylan really who I think he is?

Is this even my best friend?..